OUT OF THE RANKS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 784, 19 November 1873, Page 3

OUT OF THE RANKS.

One more ui>fortunate, weary of life, llashly importunate, taken a wife ; Treat him not scornfully, play him no pranks, Drum him out mournfully out of the ranks, lie was once dutiful, manly, and gay, Ere the false beautiful led him astray. Make no deep scrutiny into the act, Cause not a mutiny though he has tact; Mark not the stains of him passed through the portal, Little remains of him now but the mortal. l'ity expresses, " Alas ! it it is sad Whilst Wonderment guesses "He must have been mad !" 0 ! it is pitiful,—makes the blood run, To think, in a cityful, how he was done. When the gas blazes in yonder small cot, He lirst met the gazes of her with whose lot His own is now mingled. She spoke in soft words That jingled and tingled, of doves and such birds ; High she disparaged the life she was leading, Whilst the garden of marriage she likened to Eden. She spoke till Creation pealed forth to aught human, " Life's sad desolation is banished by woman." Dead to his history, he plunged from the spot Into the mystery—Oh ! fathom it not; Over the brink of it—and in no other way Drink of it —think of it, —dear brother, pray. One more unfortunate, weary of life, Pashly importunate, taken a wife, The friends once around him their farewell nave spoken. Pity his weakness, strong-minded brother, Leaving, with meekness, his life to another.